Patents by Inventor George Themelis

George Themelis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11422345
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arm (1) adapted to be attached to a microscope (10), in particular a surgical microscope (10), wherein the arm (1) comprises at a distal end (21) a light beam deflection member (3) or a camera. An inventive microscope (10) comprises an arm (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: LEICA INSTRUMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Publication number: 20220211448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical microscope with a field of view and comprising an optical imaging system which images an inspection area which is at least partially located in the field of view, and to a method for a gesture control of a surgical microscope having an optical imaging system. The surgical microscope further comprises a gesture detection unit for detection of a movement of a surgical instrument, the gesture detection unit having a detection zone which is located between the inspection area and the optical imaging system and is spaced apart from the inspection area, and the gesture detection unit being configured to output a control signal to the optical imaging system depending on the movement of the surgical instrument in the detection zone, the optical imaging system being configured to alter its state depending on the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventor: George THEMELIS
  • Patent number: 11379954
    Abstract: A signal to noise ratio adjustment circuit is configured to determine, whether a signal to noise ratio of a first image is below a first threshold and to determine, whether a variation of imaged content between the first image and a preceding second image of a video sequence is below a second threshold. The signal to noise ratio adjustment circuit is further configured to generate a third image having an increased signal to noise ratio as compared to the first image or the second image if the signal to noise ratio is below the first threshold and if the variation is below the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Patent number: 11333873
    Abstract: A surgical microscope, a method for observing an object in an observation area during surgery, and a retrofit-kit for a surgical microscope are provided. The surgical microscope includes at least one optical carrier for variably deflecting an observation axis of an optical observation assembly into an optical viewing axis directed towards the observation area. The optical carrier includes at least one optical beam deflector and is arranged between the optical observation assembly and the observation area. The optical carrier further includes a movable range-setting system for supporting the at least one optical beam deflector and for positioning the at least one optical beam deflector at a variable distance from the optical observation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: LEICA INSTRUMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Patent number: 11330237
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical inspection apparatus (1), such as a microscope or endoscope, and to a medical inspection method such as microscopy or endoscopy. Visible image data (11) representing a visible-light image (49) and fluorescence image data (12) representing a fluorescent-light image (51) and a pseudocolor (70, 71) are merged to give an improved visual rendition of an object (2) which comprises at least one fluorophore (6) to mark special features of the object (2). This is accomplished in that an image processing unit (18) of the microscope (1) or endoscope is configured to compute a color (ro, go, bo) of an output pixel (54) in the pseudocolor image (53) from at least one pseudocolor (rp, gp, bp), a color (ri, gi, bi) of a first input pixel (50) in the visible-light image (49) and an intensity (f) of a second input pixel (52) in the fluorescent-light image (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: LEICA INSTRUMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Patent number: 11284948
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical microscope (1) with a field of view (9) and comprising an optical imaging system (3) which images an inspection area (11) which is at least partially located in the field of view (9), and to a method for a gesture control of a surgical microscope (1) having an optical imaging system (3). Surgical microscopes (1) of the art have the disadvantage that an adjustment of the microscope parameters, for instance the working distance, field of view (9) or illumination mode, requires the surgeon to put down his or her surgical tools, look up from the microscope's eyepiece (5) and perform the adjustment by operating the microscope handles. Also foot switches and mouth switches where proposed, whereas those are not intuitively operated, require training and are less accurate than hand control of the microscope handles. Thus, the surgeon may lose his or her focus, is confronted with inconveniences and delays and bears an increased risk of contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: LEICA INSTRUMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Patent number: 11196942
    Abstract: An image processing device (100) for a medical observation device (102), such as a microscope (104) or endoscope, is disclosed. The image processing device (100) comprises an image processor (106). The image processor (106) is configured to obtain a digital pseudocolor pattern (116), which has a pattern characteristic (118) and comprises a pseudocolor (120). The image processor (106) is further adapted to combine the digital pseudocolor pattern (116) with an input area (122) of retrieved digital input image (108, 110), thus forming a patterned region (124). Moreover, the image processor (106) is adapted to vary the pattern characteristic at a location (126) in the patterned region (124) depending on one of the intensity (I) and brightness (B) at a corresponding location (128) in the input area (122) of at least one of the digital input images (108, 110) and retrieved digital input image (108, 110); and to output at least one digital output image (130) comprising the patterned region (124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Publication number: 20210369391
    Abstract: A microscope system comprises a surgical microscope, an operating device configured to be operated by a user, and a processor configured to receive a command signal from the operating device in response to the user operation and to control the surgical microscope based on the command signal, wherein the operating device comprises a sensor unit configured to detect the user operation and to generate the command signal based on the detected user operation, wherein the sensor unit is further configured to be worn by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: George THEMELIS
  • Patent number: 11156820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, in particular a fluorescence microscopy or endoscope imaging method for intensity normalization, a non-transient computer readable storage medium (101) and a controller (51) for an endoscope (3) or microscope device (5). In the prior art, common observation devices (1) as surgical microscopes, endoscopes (3) or microscopes (5) have the disadvantage that it is ambiguous whether a detected intensity (97) is due to fluorophore (29) concentration or due to optics setting parameters (73). The inventive method overcomes said disadvantages by automatically adjusting at least one exposure control parameter (83) if at least one optics setting parameter (73) is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Patent number: 11089278
    Abstract: An image-processing device (64) for a fluorescence observation device (1), such as a microscope or endoscope, emulates a first type (82) of fluorescence display device on a second type (63) of fluorescence display device (1). Proficient use of a fluorescence observation device (1) for surgery requires years of training and experience. As technology quickly advances, new types of fluorescence observation devices provide different and more information than older types of fluorescence observation devices, however adoption of newer types is slow because new training is needed. The present disclosure facilitates the switch from one type of fluorescence observation device to another by providing a type-emulation module (108), which allows the imaging result obtained from the first type of fluorescence observation device to be emulated on the second type. The type-emulation module (108) is applied to a digital fluorescence image (20) in which the fluorescence of a fluorescing fluorophore (8) is recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Patent number: 11083368
    Abstract: A method and system for computing an HDR image (38) from a digital color input image (4) of an object (30) containing a fluorescing fluorophore (22) acquires the input image using a color camera (2) having at least two different types (16, 17, 18) of color sensor (8), such as an R, G and B sensor. The input image may be recorded in a co-sensing wavelength band (64, 66, 68) wherein different spectral responsivities (58, 60, 62) of the different types of color sensor overlap. The input image comprises different digital monochrome input images (6), each recorded by a different type of color sensor. Light incident on the camera may be filtered using a band-pass filter (32) having a tunable pass band (34) which defines the co-sensing wavelength band and may be adjusted depending on spectral responsivities of the color sensors, the fluorophore, and characteristics of the monochrome input images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Publication number: 20210243387
    Abstract: Examples relate to apparatuses, methods and computer programs for a microscope system, more specifically, but not exclusively, to the use of two optical imaging modules to obtain image data having a first and a second field of view. The apparatus comprises an interface. The interface is suitable for obtaining first image data of a sample from a first optical imaging module. The first image data has a first field of view. The interface is suitable for obtaining second image data of the sample from a second optical imaging module. The second image data has a second field of view. The first field of view comprises the second field of view. The apparatus comprises a processing module. The processing module is configured to generate an image output signal for a display of the microscope system. In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to process the first image data to detect an abnormality outside the second field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventor: George THEMELIS
  • Patent number: 11071474
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for tracking a movable target (3), in particular tissue (5), the apparatus (1) comprising at least one applicator (7) for marking the target (3) with at least one type of markers (11), and at least one tracking system (9) which is adapted for monitoring at least the at least one type of markers (11). In order to provide an apparatus and a method for tracking a movable target (3), in particular tissue (5) which improve the reliability of the target tracking and which reduce the risk of damaging a target, it is intended according to the invention that the at least one applicator (7) is adapted for generating a randomly distributed pattern (13) of markers (11) on the target (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Patent number: 11048097
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical filter (1) for transmitting light (13) of a pass wavelength (17), comprising at least two optical filter stages (3) arranged along a transmission direction (11), along which the light (13) of the pass wavelength (17) is transmitted through the optical filter (1), wherein each of the at least two optical filter stages (3) comprises at least one entrance polarizing element (5) and at least one constant retarding element (7). The invention further relates to a camera (53) for simultaneously capturing at least two images, wherein each image is limited to light (13) in a limited spectral band (44) and to a multi-spectral imaging system (87) and an illumination system (73) applying the inventive optical filter (1). Solutions of the art have low peak transmission values and may furthermore only provide monochrome images in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Patent number: 11042014
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catadioptric medical imaging system (1), in particular a surgical microscope (2). During surgery, it may be necessary to gain more information about a surgical cavity (6), in particular the type of tissue (29) at the inside walls (4) of the surgical cavity (6). To solve this problem, the catadioptric medical imaging system (1) according to the invention comprises a camera device (8) and a convex catoptric mirror (20) adapted to be inserted into the surgical cavity (6). The catoptric mirror (20) is mounted on an arm (22) and spaced apart from the camera device (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Publication number: 20210142533
    Abstract: Examples relate to an optical system and to a corresponding apparatus, method and computer program. The optical system comprises a display module for providing a visual overlay to be overlaid over an object in an augmented reality or mixed reality environment. The optical system comprises at least one sensor for sensing at least one optical property of the object. The optical system comprises a processing module configured to determine the at least one optical property of the object using the at least one sensor. The processing module is configured to determine a visual contrast between the visual overlay to be overlaid over the object and the object, as perceived within a field of view of the augmented reality or mixed reality environment, based on the at least one optical property of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventor: George THEMELIS
  • Patent number: 10989905
    Abstract: An interchangeable optical module (1) for a microscopic or an endoscopic apparatus, in particular for a fluorescence microscope, includes at least one optical element (2), such as a beam-splitter (3), at least one beam path (B1, B2), in which the at least one optical element (2) is arranged, and at least one optical filter (5) which is arranged in the at least one beam path (B1, B2). A microscopic apparatus includes at least one receptacle for receiving at least one interchangeable optical module (1) as stated above. In order to allow different measurement techniques in one apparatus and to easily change the setup, it is intended that the optical module (1) further includes at least one refractive element (7) which is arranged in the at least one beam path (B1, B2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singpore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: George Themelis
  • Publication number: 20210110539
    Abstract: Examples relate to an optical system and to an apparatus, method and computer program for an optical system. The optical imaging system comprises a camera for providing a camera image of a surface of an object. The optical imaging system further comprises one or more measurement modules for performing one or more measurements at one or more points of the surface of the object. The optical imaging system further comprises a display module. The optical imaging system further comprises a processing module configured to obtain the camera image of the surface of the object from the camera. The processing module is configured to obtain the one or more measurements at the one or more points of the surface of the object from the one or more measurement modules. The processing module is configured to determine a spatial location of the one or more points of the surface relative to the camera image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventor: George THEMELIS
  • Publication number: 20210110538
    Abstract: Examples relate to an optical imaging system, and to a corresponding apparatus, method and computer program for an optical imaging system. The optical imaging system comprises one or more information sources for providing information about a current orientation of the optical imaging system towards at least a part of an object of interest. The optical imaging system comprises one or more output modules for providing guidance information for a user of the optical imaging system. The optical imaging system comprises a processing module configured to determine information on a desired orientation of the optical imaging system towards at least a part of the object of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventor: George THEMELIS
  • Patent number: 10962759
    Abstract: A controller for a microscope is configured to receive image data representing a wound and to determine a line of sight to a bottom of the wound using the image data. The controller is further configured to output a control signal for the microscope, the control signal instructing the microscope to align its optical axis with the line of sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: George Themelis, Tobias Wilken